Magical Madagascar June 19 July 1, 2017 Anjajavy extension July 1 July 4, 2017
Magical Madagascar June 19 July 1, 2017 We invite you to be part of this exclusive and remarkable adventure through Madagascar, one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. There is no other trip to Madagascar like this one. In addition to the many splendors of that unique island country, you will experience exclusive areas not open to tourists. The Duke Lemur Center has been working in Madagascar for 30 years and we will have access to rarely visited areas, Duke connected conservation projects and people. You will meet with conservation and research experts, providing a truly unique experience. This trip is perfect for first time Madagascar visitors as well as for those returning to Madagascar for a second or third trip! Madagascar is home to all of the world s lemurs (some 100+ species) and over half of the world s chameleons, in addition to more than 170 species of frogs. Every year scientists discover new species of plants and animals in Madagascar s deserts and forests. There is no question Madagascar is a nature lover's dream and an exceptional photographic destination. The animals we will see in the protected areas are habituated and easily approached, making for terrific photographic opportunities. Our itinerary is designed to cover some of the island s highlights, including six different eco-systems with a diversity of wildlife and photographic subjects. We have chosen these six stops to showcase the incredible diversity in landscape flora and fauna common to each of these areas. In keeping with the principles of responsible ecotourism: We will make a donation to SAVA Conservation Project (of Duke Lemur Center) We will employ local people. We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters. We will use local goods and services. This is a journey that will make a positive impact on you and the areas we visit. To reserve your space call Duke Alumni Travels at 1-800-FOR-DUKE or email travel@daa.duke.edu. For logistical questions, please call Terra Incognita Ecotours at 877-GO-EXPLORE.
June 19 Area Antananarivo Ecosystem - High Plateau Hotel Hotel Colbert Area Flora And Fauna Highlights -The capital city of Madagascar Arrive in Antananarivo anytime today. We will enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at the historic and storied Hotel Colbert. Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar and once you land, you will see that Madagascar is anything but a sleepy little island. You will be immediately immersed in sounds, smells, and colors like you have never experienced before. Tana is Madagascar s hub of finance, trade, markets, conservation and education and it is the most populated city in the country. You will see it all here, from zebu pulled carts, open air markets, to laundry drying on the shoulder of the road, to fancy cars zipping through the standstill traffic. June 20-22 Area Andasibe Ecosystem Montane Rainforest Hotel Vakona Lodge Area Flora And Fauna Highlights -So many lemurs! Indri, diadema sifaka, black and white Ruffed Lemur, brown lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs and more. The world's largest chameleon can be found here, together with a wonderful array of tree frogs and geckos. The drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park will highlight some of the agriculture of the Malagasy countryside. The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is one of Madagascar's most celebrated reserves,- it is lush primary rain forest and home to many species such as the Indri, the beautiful diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemurs as well as the gray bamboo lemur and brown lemur. Immersed in the rainforest, you will hear experience the haunting calls of the Indri. Each animal sings with its own unique voice, so the echoes and re-echoes signal the groups forest territories. We will track Indri through the forest, and moderate walking provides a good opportunity to experience the abundant flora and fauna of the eastern rain forest. Prepare yourself for the excitement of a night walk to look for nocturnal lemurs if we re lucky we may catch the eye shine of the diminutive brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur, or even the avahi (or eastern woolly lemur).
June 22-24 Area Tamatave/Ivoloina Ecosystem Eastern Coast Hotel Calypso Hotel Area Flora And Fauna Highlights We will drive from the wet mountain forest to the east coast. Ivoloina is home to grey bamboo lemurs and black and white ruffed lemurs as well as all of the lovely lemur residents of the Ivoloina Park. We will enjoy the bustle and color of Tamatave, the largest port city in Madagascar. From Tamatave, we visit scenic Parc Ivoloina where DLC conservation coordinator Charlie Welch and his wife Andrea Katz started a conservation project in 1987. The conservation work continues at Ivoloina under the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, of which DLC is a founding member. Activities at Ivoloina range from programs in environmental education, to sustainable agriculture, to reforestation and training. We will have Charlie Welch tour us around the park receiving an insiders-only tour.
June 24-27 Area SAVA Region Ecosystem Coastal Rainforest Hotel Orchidea Hotel Area Flora And Fauna Highlights - Driving through the SAVA region will delight all of your senses witnessing the freshly picked vanilla and coffee drying along the roadside. June is the start of vanilla season in Madagascar and Sambava is the vanilla capital. Smell the fragrance and purchase this heavenly bean to take home. Fasten your seatbelts! On an exciting charter flight into the rarely visited SAVA region, enjoy spectacular views of the eastern coast and lowland rainforests. Checking into the beachside Orchidea Hotel, you can stroll for miles along the white sand beach watching local fishermen pull in their daily catch. The Duke Lemur Center s conservation initiative in northeastern Madagascar is based in Sambava, and features community-based conservation alongside research and student volunteer programs amidst the backdrop of Marojejy massif. During our time in the SAVA region we will visit fish farms, meet farmers harvesting new crops, visit a school filled with Malagasy children eagerly learning about conservation. Marojejy is one of the most strikingly beautiful and wild areas of Madagascar. From the Marojejy National Park office we will hike through the scenic countryside and enter the village of Mandena. Throughout the SAVA region, a member from the Duke SAVA Conservation Team and Duke Students will join us to discuss the SAVA region and project work. Also, meet with other Duke project leaders to learn about various Duke research and service projects within Madagascar.
June 27-30 Area The North Ecosystem Rainforests and Tsingy Hotel The Nature Hotel and Ankarana Lodge Area Flora And Fauna Highlights - In the Ankarana you may encounter the crowned lemur, Sanford's brown lemur,, the northern sportive lemur and dwarf lemurs. A variety of chameleons and leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos may also be found sunning on the rocks. Experience the rich French cultural center of Diego and visit the bustling market to see what will be for dinner in a typical Malagasy home that evening. Outside of Diego, enjoy the simplistic lifestyle and listen to the forest. Take short night walks and keep your eyes open for the mouse lemur and the very shy fat tailed dwarf lemur. Aye-aye are occasionally spotted in these forests. In the North, we will stay in Joffreville and visit Montagne D Ambre, which is actually a long-extinct volcano. We will browse through primary forests and then observe the shocking transformation to secondary forest. The hike though Montagne D Ambre s ultimate destination is the sacred waterfall. Look for the local offerings of rice, honey and even money.. While you trek through the forests, keep your eyes out for the comical Sanford s lemur and the crowned lemur families. Enjoy an adventurous ride from Amber Mountain to Anakarana in comfy 4x4s. The drive will wind through many little towns, each boasting a different roadside specialty. Once in Ankarana, we will wake up early to meet the day with a sunrise hike into the famous Ankarana tsingy. Ankarana is known for its limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy and includes an extensive cave system with a network of underground rivers -- some of which contain crocodiles. Dry deciduous forest is found in much of the reserve. There are several different hikes through the famous Ankarana tsingy to accommodate all hiking desires. Here we hope to see the Ankarana sportive lemur peeking out of his tree hole during his slumber, playful Sanford s lemurs and the serious crowned lemurs, crested coua and Madagascar paradise flycatchers will dance from tree to tree. We will also visit the Red Tsingy to view more lemurs and very different geological features. The Red Tsingy rock formation is a geologic oddity sculpted by erosion into a completely unique work of nature.
Optional Extension HIGHLY recommended! July 1- July 4th Area Anjanavy Ecosystem Western Deciduous Forests and Coast Hotel Anjajavy L Hotel Area Flora And Fauna Highlights - Explore the grounds of Anjajavy and marvel at the incredible array of wildlife so easily viewed here. There are Coquerel s sifaka seemingly everywhere, troops of brown lemurs sneaking peeks into the windows of your stunning bungalow. Madagascar fish eagles are regularly seen as well as a vast array of other bird-life - vangas, lovebirds, Vasa parrots, and so much more. The resort is a haven for wildlife! Of course you can also just relax by the pool, swim in the ocean or even go snorkeling! World Travel Awards has awarded Anjajajvy as Madagascar s Leading Hotel for the past 10 years and has been highly recommended by Condé Nast Traveler. We take a private charter flight to Anjajavy, a resort only accessible by air! The luxury resort consists of 25 wellappointed bungalows set in a large private reserve covering more than 750 hectares. The bungalows border two wide deserted beaches, some mangroves, small tsingy karst limestone formations. The resort offers many aquatic activities as well as multiple hiking possibilities, most notably to the neighboring Sakalava villages of Anjajavy and Ambodro Ampasy where the owners of the resort have been very supportive by building a dispensary, a primary school, and starting several micro-lending schemes. The lodge s private nature reserve just behind the landscaped garden has a varied fauna and flora, with some remarkable endemic species such as the delightful Coquerel s sifaka, lovebirds, Cuvier s spiny iguana, abundant malachite kingfishers, pygmy kingfishers, and much more.
June 19- July 1, 2017 Program Rate : $6,659 per person, double occupancy. Single Supplement: $1,000 (limited availability) July 1- July 4, 2017 Anjajavy Optional Extension: additional $2,799 per person, double occupancy. Anjajavy Single Supplement: $1,000 Please see Terms and Conditions for more details. To reserve a place, please contact Duke Alumni Travel at (800)-FOR-DUKE
For more logistical information, please contact Terra Incognita Ecotours. Telephone: 855-326-8687 FAX: 813-289-1049 E-mail: info@ecotours.com